Media Release

A drug arrest during a warrant sweep has linked the suspect to a burglary ring believed responsible for numerous break-ins in West Hawaiʻi.

On Wednesday (August 29) at about 11:30 a.m., officers participating in an islandwide fugitive warrant sweep arrested Joseph Augustino Narzisi at an apartment complex in the Kalaoa area. Narzisi was wanted on three outstanding bench warrants and several all-points bulletins. While in the process of contacting him, officers observed paraphernalia associated with narcotics use and drafted a search warrant for the apartment.

He was also charged with additional offenses for previous incidents. On Tuesday (August 28) Area II Vice officers had executed a search warrant at a home Narzisi occupied in the Kealakekua area. Narzisi wasn’t home at the time of the search. Officers recovered methamphetamine smoking pipes, resealable plastic bags containing crystalline residue, items containing heroin residue, paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine and heroin use, two handguns (including a loaded firearm) and a large quantity of unspent ammunition. On Thursday, detectives charged Narzisi with numerous narcotics offenses related to that search warrant, including promoting dangerous drugs, promoting harmful drugs, possessing drug paraphernalia and firearms offenses.

In the other previous incident, Traffic Enforcement Unit officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on August 22 on a sedan that was observed speeding on Palani Road. The car initially fled from officers and then stopped. The driver, identified as Narzisi, fled the vehicle on foot on Palani Road. Vice Officers executed a search warrant on the car and located methamphetamine smoking pipes, items containing heroin residue and drug paraphernalia. On Thursday, Narzisi was charged with promoting dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia and traffic offenses in connection with that incident.

In addition, Criminal Investigations Section detectives investigating a rash of burglaries were able to identify several items in Narzisi’s possession that had been reported stolen in four burglaries in the Kealakekua area between July 4 and August 21. On Thursday, Narzisi was charged with burglary, terroristic threatening, assault and four counts of second-degree theft in connection with those burglaries.

His bail was set at $495,000. He was held at the Kona police cellblock pending his initial court appearance Friday morning (August 31).

Police investigation linked Narzisi with other individuals wanted for questioning. Thursday morning, officers observed one of them, 31-year-old Joshua Watan of Captain Cook, operating a gray sedan that was stopped on the side of Kaleiopapa Street in Keauhou. The car had been reported stolen from Nani Kapuna Place in Kealakekua sometime between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 6:25 a.m. Thursday. As officers approached the sedan, another man, 24-year-old Danny Estocado of Kailua-Kona, entered the vehicle and it drove away. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop but Watan drove away from them. Officers lost sight of the vehicle for a short time. When they spotted it again, Estocado was no longer inside. Watan traveled up and down Hokulia Bypass Road several times before he finally came to a stop. He locked himself inside with the engine running and refused to exit the vehicle until after officers negotiated with him for approximately an hour.

Watan was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized control of a motor vehicle and is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives continue the investigation.

Police attempted to locate Estocado but were unable to find him. He is described as Hawaiian, 5-foot-7, 178 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his chest.

Police also want to question 35-year-old Curtis Hoku Kekahuna Jr., who is wanted on three bench warrants and several all-points bulletins. He is described as 5-foot-11 and about 270 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has the letters “CVK” tattooed in red and green letters on his right inner forearm and the name “Keahi” tattooed on his left inner forearm. He also has a scar that runs from his left cheekbone to his left eye. He may be in the company of 37-year-old Nani-Jo Keanini of Honokaʻa, 34-year-old Elona Keanini of Kailua-Kona, or both.

They are also seeking 31-year-old Ryan Jeffries Hamar of Kailua-Kona, who is also wanted for allegedly escaping from Hale Nani on August 14. He is described as Caucasian, about 5-foot-7, about 170 pounds with blue eyes and short reddish-blond hair. He has a tattoo along his entire right arm. He may be in the company of 30-year-old Jaison Irving of Kailua-Kona.

Police ask that the public not approach any of these wanted persons, as they may be armed and dangerous. Instead, call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.